The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 3 by Beth Brower

This third volume rebounded back to the heights of the first volume. The main "event" is the annual performance of Julius Caesar in the town. It is a big event, but shrouded in secrecy. There are a number of clues that must be obtained in order to procure tickets. However, in true British fashion it is best to pretend you are not interested in the tickets as you proceed. Emma's deadbeat cousin is very into the process, and even gets up early in the morning to attend church to get a clue. They have crazy adventures in the clue search which culminates in the deadbeat eating his ticket. Emma also attends some social events organized by her controlling Aunt, with plenty of bizarre social encounters. There is plenty of great humor here.

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 2 by Beth Brower

I liked the first book. It left on a cliffhanger. Alas, this book just did not stick as well as the first one. There is more involvement with the tenant and plans to gradually work out a solution through some of the problems with the relation that is occupying the house. He reluctantly asceeds to her greater involvement. She also begins to be involved in the social scene, and gets scolded for being noticed a bit more than she should. 

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1: The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion, Book 1

The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion: Vol. 1 by Beth Brower

A woman goes back to live in Lapis Lazuli house. She is supposed to inherit it when she comes of age. However, now she is subject to some evil relative that occupies it. Through the journals we discover her history and how she ended up in this state. Her parents have both died. They had took pity on the relative that lives in the house. However, he has returned that niceness by squandering the fortune and treating the protagonist poorly. She seems to be in the upper middle class. Her family is not among the poor, neither are they rich. There are relatives that have various schemes they are engaging. She participates to some extent. The book is well written, but quite short and seems to end halfway through the story. It does make a "Jane Austen" scenario actually readable.